Shining a Light on Local Heroes Through the Champion Award

In 2024 30 winners received $10,000 to aid their businesses and communities. This is through the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. They bring life, culture, and vital job opportunities right to our streets. These businesses are not just stores or services; they are our friends and neighbors. To celebrate their hard work and dedication, the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award was created. This award goes beyond recognition; it honors the perseverance, creativity, and community spirit that small businesses represent.

This post will explore why the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award is important, how it benefits local businesses, and how you can help recognize these valuable contributors in your community.

The Importance of Small Businesses

Small businesses are crucial for the economic health of our neighborhoods. The Small Business Administration reports that small businesses represent nearly 50% of the private sector workforce in the United States. They create about 1.5 million net new jobs each year, serving as a vital source of employment and innovation.

Take, for example, a local coffee shop that employs five people in the area. When it succeeds, the impact extends far beyond just those five jobs. The shop supports farmers, suppliers, and even brings extra foot traffic to nearby businesses. It fosters a sense of community that large corporations often overlook. When small businesses thrive, communities flourish, benefiting everyone with better schools, parks, and local initiatives.

A community bakery where friendships are baked daily.

Recognizing Achievements

The Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award is designed to recognize small businesses that significantly influence their local communities. Recipients are typically those who show outstanding commitment to customer service, community involvement, and innovative practices.

For instance, consider a family-owned bakery that donates a portion of its profits to local schools. Their involvement fosters better educational opportunities and enriches community life. By spotlighting these efforts through the Community Champion Award, Citizens Bank reinforces the message that supporting small businesses is essential for the health of our neighborhoods.

How to Nominate

Nominating a small business for the Community Champion Award is easy and rewarding. Your nomination could highlight a business that has gone above and beyond for your community.

Here’s how to get involved:

1. Visit the Awards Page: Check the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award page for all the details you need.

   
   

2. Share Your Story: Provide information about the small business you want to nominate. Focus on their contributions and explain why they deserve this award.

   
   

3. Submit Your Nomination: Follow the website’s instructions. It takes just a few minutes!

   
   

Taking the time to appreciate a local business fosters gratitude and strengthens community ties. Your nomination can have a larger impact than you may think.

Dedicated small business owner sharing stories with visitors.

The Benefits of Winning

Receiving the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award brings numerous advantages for small businesses:

• Increased Visibility: Winning the award puts a business in the spotlight, attracting attention from local customers and media.

  
  

• Enhanced Credibility: Being recognized by a respected institution boosts a business's reputation and instills trust among potential customers.

  
  

The ripple effects of these benefits can be significant. For instance, an award-winning business might see a 20% increase in customer traffic following their recognition. These benefits not only empower the winning businesses but also inspire other local entrepreneurs to step up and contribute to community building.

Celebrating Local Entrepreneurship

The Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award is more than recognition; it’s a way to celebrate the spirit of community and appreciate the resilient entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our neighborhoods. Nominating local businesses for this award helps create an ecosystem where entrepreneurship can thrive, innovation can grow, and our community can be enriched.

Join in today! Visit the Citizens Small Business Community Champion Award page to learn how you can nominate a business that has made a lasting impact in your community. Together, we can honor the local heroes who tirelessly work to make our neighborhoods vibrant places to live, work, and play.

Community members recognizing a small business that makes a difference.